SS Radio #183: Modifying the Lifts

[Mark Rippetoe]

Modifying the Lifts | Starting Strength Radio #183

[Lost and Found]

I enjoyed this episode. Questions for a home/garage gym trainee with no lat machine:

In addition to increasing weight in the deadlift, would you consider body weight rows using the bar in the rack about waist high and feet on a bench a reasonable way for one to work up to a chin? I realize the angle is not the same.
What about starting at the chinned position, holding as long as possible then slowly lowering thru the eccentric portion. My high school wrestling coach had the heavyweights do this and most were doing some chin ups in few weeks.

[Mark Rippetoe]

I have found that when your deadlift gets up to about 2x bodyweight, chins are there for enough reps to train them. Bodyweight rows as you describe are too easy to be of any use. Negatives from the chinup bar can be useful.